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Clean Energy State Spotlight: New York

February 5, 2019

Across the U.S. clean energy industries have continued to grow in leaps and bounds. However, with standards and initiatives generally set individually, each state’s industry is unique. Below, we take a quick look at New York’s current power mix, and better understand where the Empire State’s clean energy industry is headed tomorrow.

Current renewable portfolio standards in New York

Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) are climate policies that were adopted across U.S. states starting back in 2004. They generally require electric utilities generate or source a certain percentages of their energy from renewable sources. For example, Washington, D.C. has a 100% RPS by 2032 — ensuring the city and it’s citizens only use energy from renewable sources by that year.

Currently, about 28% of New York’s energy is sourced by renewable sources. However, the state’s Clean Energy Standard (CES) sets out to guarantee a 70% RPS by 2030. This standard was adopted as an update after the state beat it’s previous RPS deadline in 2015. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, CES became the most aggressive state-level commitment to combat climate change. It aims to focus the state’s energy generation on solar and wind resources, as well as some biomass.

With it’s 70% goal by 2030, the CES will make substantial reductions in greenhouse emissions. It will help slingshot the state towards an 80% carbon emissions reduction by 2050.

New renewable energy targets in New York

New York made headlines recently when Governor Andrew Cuomo committed to a newly accelerated development of renewable energy projections. According to Energy Manager Today, the Cuomo Administration is committed to investing $1.2 billion in 46 state-wide projects that will advance New York’s renewable energy efforts. The state plans to quadruple offshore wind targets to 9 gigawatts (GW) by the year 2035, and reach 6 GW of distributed solar energy by 2025. Governor Cuomo has said the goal is 100% clean energy for the state by the year 2040.

As the current leader in offshore wind energy production, New York is positioned to use an intended $200 million investment into its port infrastructure to yield critical benefits for both New York workers and taxpayers. With a focus on off-shore wind power technology, the state is poised to continue it’s path as an leader in clean energy around the United States.

Did you know?

With nearly 28% of its electric power being sourced by renewables, New York is making great strides in the fight against climate change. Below, you’ll find a few other quick facts that we rounded up to better understand where New York stands when it comes to renewables.

New York is a leader in hydroelectric power, the third largest producer by total installed hydropower capacity.

A state rebate in New York allows consumers to earn money $1,750 for every one kilowatt (kW) of installed solar, according to Solar Energy Facts.

New York banned fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, in February 2017, thus ending the extraction of oil and natural gas with fluid injections at high pressures.

New York is leading the way in clean energy. With off-shore wind and an increase in solar capacity, there are a lot of ways someone can participate to support the renewable energy industry there. Check out Arcadia’s community solar and wind energy programs, available in New York. They can help anyone — whether they own or rent — support and connect to clean energy for their home. Check availability for your home here.